Grant Manock B6 12/4/13

It's Elementary: Adrian Monk vs. Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes, a character from the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is said to be one of the best detectives of all time. Alternatively, detectives like Adrian Monk from the television series Monk created by Andy Breckman, is also held in high regard with Sherlock Holmes. Both detectives have strong opinions and processes on how to discover the solution of a mystery differently. The two also have their own issues that sometimes get in the way of their work. However, they can truly crack the case when they set aside their problems. Sherlock Holmes is sometimes selfish and can be very cocky, and Monk has an extreme case of O.C.D. In the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes can sometimes be described as arrogant. He constantly tells Watson that he is merely a sidekick; Sherlock expresses this in many different ways. Sherlock says to Watson's face that, [he] has been invaluable to [him] in this as in many other cases (Doyle 167). Holmes does this constantly throughout his adventures. On the other hand, Mr. Monk, from the television series Monk, can sometimes be a little paranoid. He thinks that his assistant isn't capable of doing things right and that he has to do it himself. Adrian does not flaunt his knowledge, but he does have a problem with things being a particular way. This reveals his debilitating O.C.D. and forces him out of his comfort zone. Like all humans, both detectives have their accustomed way of functioning. Holmes can manage in most situations. Out on the moor, he has the courage to remain alone even in the dark and cold with the blood-curdling screams of what is thought to be the hound calling out for its

Grant Manock B6 12/4/13 prey. Because the little hut Sherlock lived in was so secluded, [He] had no idea that [Watson] had found [his] occasional retreat (166). Holmes continues to push on and persevere. He doesnt care about the forbidding things that lurk around, and finds them only interesting, to a collector of fairy tales (24), Holmes and Watson being men of science. Monk on the other hand has a strict and limited comfort zone. He has hundreds of phobias and detests dirt, germs, smudges, blood stains, dentists, snakes, heights, crowds, elevators, driving, tunnels, etc. There is an episode when his assistant is held captive in a sewer and he has to save her. Monk has to overcome some of his phobias to help her. When his friend thought someone murdered his farmer uncle, he asked Monk to help. Monk was reluctant to go to the farm due to his fear of dirt. Yet Monk forced himself past his mysophobia to help his friend. When both detectives get out of their comfort zones, they are able to concentrate on and solve their cases. In addition to leaving their comfort zones, both detectives have specific skills, procedures, and methods they use to solves their mysteries. Sherlock wouldnt be able to solve a single case if he didnt have a method. The same applies to Monk. Great detectives need logical systems and strategies to be successful. Holmes enjoys having people know his way of doing things, and loves it even more when people apply them. When Watson found Dr. Mortimer's walking stick, Watson tried to figure out the man by using Sherlocks procedures. Sherlock likes to make Watson think for himself for, [he] knows [Sherlocks] methods (12). Monk has his own methods too. Monk stands in one spot. He does many 360 turns and then he stops, he smells the curtains to see if there is a scent like smoke in them. He references distance. Due to the fact that he has O.C.D. he can pick out things quickly that dont belong. Monk and Sherlock both have methods that assist in solving the case.

Grant Manock B6 12/4/13 Sherlock Holmes is said to be one of the finest detectives of all time, but Detective Monk is as esteemed. The two have issues and strategies. They both have strong opinions and comfort zones. Despite their impediments and failure of character, both detectives are skillful and can logically solve cases that perplex others. The two are truly exceptional.

References
Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. New York: Bantam Doubleday Publishing Group Inc., 1959. Print. Monk. USA. Los Angeles, California, 2002-2009. Television.